Woking Borough Council
Plan timetable
| Reference | Plan | Plan event | Event date | Actual date | Entry date | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LP-WBC-2044-notice-intention-commence | woking-borough-council-local-plan-2044 | publish-notice-intention-commence | 2026-05-22 | 2026-05-22 | 2026-05-26 | Publishing the notice of intention to commence Local Plan preparation is a new requirement. It gives external stakeholders and communities advance notice of plan making and sets out when and how can they get involved. The notice must be published at least 4 months before Gateway 1. |
| LP-WBC-2044-scoping-consultation-start | woking-borough-council-local-plan-2044 | scoping-consultation-start | 2026-07-13 | 2026-05-26 | This is a new requirement, but similar to the engagement we’ve already done. We will use this consultation to check that what we’ve heard from communities and stakeholders is still relevant. | |
| LP-WBC-2044-scoping-consultation-end | woking-borough-council-local-plan-2044 | scoping-consultation-end | 2026-08-14 | 2026-05-26 | All comments (representations) on the scoping consultation must be received on or before this date. | |
| LP-WBC-2044-gateway-1-self-assessment | woking-borough-council-local-plan-2044 | gateway-1-self-assessment | 2026-09-25 | 2026-05-26 | This new requirement is a self assessment summary confirming that we have published the timetable and notice, completed the scoping consultation, and have a project plan in place to begin the formal stage of preparing the Local Plan. Once we complete Gateway 1, we have 30 months to prepare and adopt the plan. | |
| LP-WBC-2044-plan-content-evidence-consultation-start | woking-borough-council-local-plan-2044 | plan-content-evidence-consultation-start | 2027-01-06 | 2026-05-26 | This second formal consultation sets out the proposed vision, aims and objectives, and a summary of the policy topics the plan will cover. We will also publish a summary of the evidence proposed to support the plan. | |
| LP-WBC-2044-plan-content-evidence-consultation-end | woking-borough-council-local-plan-2044 | plan-content-evidence-consultation-end | 2027-02-19 | 2026-05-26 | All comments (representations) on the proposed Local Plan content and evidence consultation must be received on or before this date. | |
| LP-WBC-2044-gateway-2-advice-sought | woking-borough-council-local-plan-2044 | gateway-2-advice-sought | 2027-04-26 | 2026-05-26 | This new requirement is a formal method of obtaining feedback from a planning inspector on the draft plan and supporting evidence, ensuring our approach aligns with national policy, guidance and legislation. Gateway 2 should normally take between 4 and 6 weeks but work on plan will continue regardless. | |
| LP-WBC-2044-gateway-2-advice-published | woking-borough-council-local-plan-2044 | gateway-2-advice-published | 2027-06-07 | 2026-05-26 | Date of publication will depend on the duration of Gateway 2. Assumed 6 weeks from advice being sought / awaiting advice from MHCLG | |
| LP-WBC-2044-proposed-paln-consultation-start | woking-borough-council-local-plan-2044 | proposed-plan-consultation-start | 2028-01-14 | 2026-05-26 | This 8 week consultation is on the final version of the proposed local plan and includes the proposed site allocations and designations. | |
| LP-WBC-2044-proposed-paln-consultation-end | woking-borough-council-local-plan-2044 | proposed-plan-consultation-end | 2028-03-13 | 2026-05-26 | All comments (representations) on the proposed Local Plan consultation must be received on or before this date. | |
| LP-WBC-2044-gateway-3-advice-sought | woking-borough-council-local-plan-2044 | gateway-3-advice-sought | 2028-07-25 | 2026-05-26 | This new requirement is a final check by an external assessor to confirm the plan meets planning regulations and the tests of soundness, before formally submitting it for Examination. Gateway 3 should take 4 weeks or up to 6 by exception. | |
| LP-WBC-2044-gateway-3-advice-published | woking-borough-council-local-plan-2044 | gateway-3-advice-published | 2028-09-22 | 2026-05-26 | Date of publication will depend on the duration of Gateway 3. Assumed 4 weeks from advice being sought / awaiting advice from MHCLG | |
| LP-WBC-2044-examination-submitted | woking-borough-council-local-plan-2044 | examination-submitted | 2028-09-29 | 2026-05-26 | The proposed Local Plan must be submitted for an independent Examination carried out by a Planning Inspector. The Examination should last no longer than 6 months. | |
| LP-WBC-2044-examination-recommendations-published | woking-borough-council-local-plan-2044 | examination-recommendations-published | 2029-03-30 | 2026-05-26 | Date of publication will depend on the duration of the Examination. Assumed 6 months from submission / awaiting advice from MHCLG | |
| LP-WBC-2044-adopted | woking-borough-council-local-plan-2044 | adopted | 2029-04-30 | 2026-05-26 | Consideration of adopting the proposed Local Plan as the development plan for Woking Borough Council. |